Open InvestigationSaturday April 6thSOLD OUT

We are excited to be offering a very special two in one event... This overnight investigation takes place the night of the Azalea Festival fireworks display over the Cape Fear River, and the fantail of the battleship is by far the best location to enjoy the show.​Our best experiences aboard this ship have occurred after a fireworks display. We theorize that the sound created from the fireworks, mimicking the sounds of battle, serves as a trigger that increases activity aboard the ship. One only need to close their eyes during the fireworks to experience an auditory simulation of being under attack.

After watching this presumed trigger event from the best vantage point in Wilmington, we will break into small groups and proceed with a controlled investigation of the most decorated battleship of World War II until 7:30 AM the following morning. Hands-on training will be provided by the leads of each individual group. Those that cannot stay up all night will have a unique opportunity to sleep aboard the ship (bring a sleeping bag).

This will be an evening of surprises and participants will likely never be presented with the same opportunity again.

We reserve the right to cancel or postpone this event. If we exercise the right of cancellation, we will inform you as soon as possible and refund your contributions. Tickets are non-refundable for any other reason. We are not responsible for the cancellation or rescheduling of the Azaleas festival. If the fireworks are canceled for any reason, this event will proceed.

Participant must be at least 18 years old and will be required to sign a waiver prior to boarding the ship and participating in this event.

About the USS North Carolina

USS North Carolina (BB-55) was the lead ship of North Carolina-class battleships and the fourth warship in the U.S. Navy to be named for the State of North Carolina. She was the first newly constructed American battleship to enter service during World War II, and took part in every major naval offensive in the Pacific Theater of Operations; her 15 battle stars made her the most decorated American battleship of World War II. She was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1986, and is now a museum ship and memorial kept at the seaport of Wilmington, North Carolina.

The USS North Carolina's primary role was protecting aircraft carriers and she served in every major Pacific battle during the war, and won a total of 15 battle stars. With a crew complement of 1880 men, nine 16" guns, twenty 5" guns, sixteen 1.1" machine guns, and twelve .50-cal machine guns, she was one of the most formidable weapons of any naval arsenal. Visitors may also view one of the nine surviving OS2U Kingfisher aircraft, displayed near the stern of the ship. This particular aircraft was salvaged from a mountainside in British Columbia in 1964 and restored.

Ten men were lost during on this ship, five of those as a result of a torpedo hit on her port side that created a hole 32 ft. by 18. ft, 20 ft. below the water line. It is believed that one or two still remain with the ship. A young blond man has been seen in the passageways. A different one peers out of portholes occasionally. One has hitched a ride with an unsuspecting guest. Hatches and doors open or close themselves, televisions and lights turn themselves off or on. Things move by themselves in front of witnesses. And they don't hesitate to make themselves known by talking or even yelling. And of course there are cold spots, footsteps and other eerie experiences.